Broadband is used to describe any high speed Internet connection, and it is important to understand broadband when you are choosing an Internet service for your home, as generally even entry level broadband packages are much more cost effective than dial up Internet connections, and they offer a number of advantages such as faster download speeds and better quality video streaming.

How is broadband different from dial up?
Broadband is not actually that different from the traditional dial up connection, and in most cases you will need similar equipment such as a modem and a connection point (this can be through your telephone or cable line). The main difference is that broadband is always on, 24/7, and instead of paying for the time you spend accessing the Internet you will just pay one flat rate monthly fee, so no matter often you use your Internet connection you will only pay the same amount, and this is much more cost effective than dial up for high level users. Also broadband connections stream data much more effectively than dial up, so you will get faster download speeds which will enable you to watch video clips and listen to music in the real-time, download music, film trailers and other files quickly and also play games online.

Installing Broadband
If you do not currently have an Internet connection, or are using dial up then broadband is easy to install, and the first thing you need to do is choose a broadband package (don’t forget to shop around so that you get the best deal for your budget). Then you will need to sign up for a contract and arrange a date to connect up, and your Internet Service Provider will send you a new modem and cable, or may also need to send an engineer to your property to install the equipment for you.

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Broadband is very easy to use, and once you have installed your service you shouldn’t have too much trouble using it to access the Internet and browse online.  However as with any service you will most likely have some questions regarding your broadband, such as how to improve your service or tips for using it more effectively, and here are just a few answers to some of the commonly asked questions.

How can I improve internet transfer speed?
When you signed up to a broadband package you would have been informed of the estimated download speed, and this can actually vary depending on your distance from the local telephone exchange.  There is not much you can do to improve your Internet transfer speed, apart from move closer to the exchange, but sometimes older modems and computer equipment can slow down your broadband speeds, so upgrading to the latest equipment can help make some improvements.  You could also check to see if there are any applications on your computer which could be slowing down your broadband such as file sharing or online television streaming (BBC iPlayer for example), and by disabling these you could gain some more Internet transfer speed.

Is broadband really better than dial up?
Yes, in most cases broadband is much better than dial up, and here are just a few reasons why.
·    Broadband is much faster than dial up, and is generally more cost effective as you don’t have to worry about how much time you spend on the Internet, as unlike dial up you do not pay by the minute but instead are charged one flat rate monthly fee.
·    Broadband is ‘always on’,  so you do not have to wait for it to connect every time you want to go online, and downloading files and streaming data such as videos and online games is much quicker, more reliable and of better visual and audio quality than dial up.
·    Also broadband does not interfere with your home phone lines, so you can still make and receive telephone calls even when you are online.

What security do I need for broadband?
Because your broadband is always on, you must make sure you protect your service and your computer against abuse by installing the latest anti-virus security software and also a two way firewall.  This will help to prevent viruses, trojans, worms and other malware from attacking your computer and your personal security, and also prevent hackers and unauthorized users from accessing your system.

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As well as price and Internet transfer speeds another factor you will need to consider when choosing an Internet broadband service is the download limit (also referred to as usage allowance).  Not all Internet Service Providers will impose a download limit on your broadband package, but all of them will have a clause somewhere in their contract to prevent ‘excessive use’, and if you breach these rules your broadband connection will be cut, your account cancelled and you will most likely be banned from using that service again.

It is very rare for a domestic Internet customer to achieve an excessive user ban, and you would have to be downloading very high levels of data in order to do so (it is always best to check all limits and clauses before you sign up to a service), and on average even most high level users will not need more than 30Gb per month limits on their accounts.

How do Download Limits Work?
Download limits are measured in gigabytes (Gb), and they can range from 1Gb per month through to 30Gb and some Internet providers also offer unlimited download packages.  Webpages on average contain 50 to 100 kilobytes of data per page, so every time you view a webpage you will be using a certain amount from your download speed.  Here is an example of some of the download limits currently offered and what they mean in real terms on Internet usage:

1Gb per month (lowest download limit offered)
Number of standard web pages (I page = 100 kilobytes of data) – 10,500
Number of standard songs (1 song = 5 megabyte MP3 file) – 205 (about 20 standard albums)

6Gb per month (basic entry level broadband limit)
Number of standard web pages (I page = 100 kilobytes of data) – 63,000
Number of standard songs (1 song = 5 megabyte MP3 file) – 1229 (about 120 standard albums)

30Gb per month
Number of standard web pages (I page = 100 kilobytes of data) – 314,500
Number of standard songs (1 song = 5 megabyte MP3 file)   – 6144 (about standard 600 albums)

Unlimited
Number of standard web pages (I page = 100 kilobytes of data) – Unlimited
Number of standard songs (1 song = 5 megabyte MP3 file)   – Unlimited

As you can see even if you are a high level Internet user you are unlikely to exceed your download limit by viewing webpages alone, and you will only really need 30Gb or an unlimited package if you intend to download a lot of audio and video files or software.

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Before you sign up to any broadband package it is important that you take the time to shop around, and find out exactly what services are being offered from various different providers.  You may be restricted in some cases by the availability of providers in your area, so by knowing what to look out for you can help to get the best deal for your budget and needs.

Costs
If you want a quality broadband package that will offer you fast enough Internet transfer speeds to allow you to easily carry out everyday tasks on the Internet such as online banking, shopping and sending emails then you should expect to pay at least £15 per month in the UK and $29.95 in USA, and if you want one of the highest level packages you will have to pay a lot more.  Don’t forget to query exactly what all the charges will add up to before you sign up to package, as sometimes hidden cost such as installation fees, equipment hire and service charges can make a great deal actually no more cheaper that a standard package from another provider, or in some cases actually more expensive.

Computer Equipment
You will need to reassess your current computer equipment before you purchase a new broadband package, to ensure it has the minimum requirements needed to make the most of the service you are paying for.  If your computer is more than five years old and you have not upgraded it recently then it is likely it will not be up to running high speed broadband services.

You will also need to check your operating system, as if this is out of date and no longer supported by the manufacturer then it could present a number of problems when it comes to installing high speed broadband including security issues, as you will no longer be able to receive patches and updates to protect your operating system against vulnerability attacks.  You may need to upgrade both your computer and your operating system before you sign up to a new broadband package, and it is important that you check the minimum requirements with your ISP before you buy any new equipment.

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